Ward Bower’s Existential Threats to Law Firms provides an excellent review about a few of the economic and demographic issues that threaten today’s law firms. As Mr. Bower notes, some of the law firms previously fixtures in league tables and in the AmLaw 200 have either failed, been acquired or otherwise have disappeared from
Law Firm Capital Contributions-How Healthy an Investment?
Recent commentary on trends among law firms has highlighted the increasing popularity of requiring greater capital contributions from owners. As Law.com‘s Nell Gluckman notes, instead of capital requirements in the 20-25% range as was common for years, law firms more frequently are jacking up the owner capital requirements into the 30-35% level. In some
Law Firm Focus-When Positive Financial Performance Is Not Really Positive
In a time of increased competition among law firms, a firm’s positive news, developments or performance always seems welcome. Peer recognition for the firm is nice. Likewise, having clients show confidence in the firm by hiring it again and again naturally is a boost of confidence. And climbing revenues and profitability is almost always viewed
Kirkland’s Attrition is a Case Study for All Law Firms, Big and Small
The American Lawyer article about recent attrition at Kirkland & Ellis gained attention in no small part because Kirkland’s reputation for success runs counter to the idea that people want to leave. While 
departures from even the most successful firms is inevitable, the depth of attrition at Kirkland reported by The American Lawyer was surprising.
A Five Step Process For Turning Around the Small to Medium Sized Law Firm
Bold headlines tend to focus on the spectacular failures. But consequential transition — even crisis — are equally traumatic for the small to medium sized law firm. Given the fact that fewer partners must carry the load, the impact across the smaller firm may be even more intensely felt.
If you are part of the
Law Firm Merger or Combination-A Solution That Can Suit Many Situations
As we have seen recently, law firm combinations have continued at a brisk pace. In layman’s terms, most of the combinations are referred to as mergers although many are at best “merger-like.” Indeed, “true” mergers appear to be the exception and not the rule as law firm combinations continue to be announced.
Gina Passarella wrote
Merger and the Small to Medium Sized Law Firm: A Recipe For Success
Law firm news continues to include reports of record profits for some — small and large alike. But the news is far from all good. The reports of desperate struggles for survival are regular; and far too frequently, the headlines include news of the latest law firm closure.
In the midst of it all, law
Market Entry the Orrick Way: Pros and Cons
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP made its entry into the Houston legal market last week. It announced that it had attracted 15 Houston based attorneys from 6 firms to plant the Orrick flag in the Bayou City. Pulled from Andrews Kurth, DLA Piper, Haynes and Boone, McDermott Will & Emery, McGuire
Debt and the Law Firm Leader
One of, if not the key responsibility of a law firm leader is ensuring that the viability of the firm is not threatened. No doubt, one of the primary threats to law firms today is excessive debt.
Clearly it is a rare business that functions without incorporating some form(s) of debt as part of
Law Firm Management and Raising Rates: A Short-term Solution that Needs Some Long-term Thinking
Sara Randazzo’s recent How Can Law Firms Increase Revenue? Charge More reported about some law firms dealing with revenue demands by increasing the rates that they charge. Increasing 
rates, especially at a time when demand for legal services is tepid at best, seems counter-intuitive. But for some law firm leaders, the need to